"The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" are closing in on us quickly as the 2023 Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday at Churchill Downs. Forte, trained by Todd Pletcher, was listed as the morning-line favorite to win the 149th installment of "The Run for the Roses" but he scratched Saturday morning due to injury concerns. Tapit Trice, who also is one of Pletcher's entries on Saturday, slides into the co-favorite spot with Angel of Empire, trained by Brad Cox. They are both listed at 9-2 in the 2023 Kentucky Derby odds.
The 2023 Kentucky Derby post time is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. With a wide-open field of 18 horses set to leave the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see the horse racing predictions from racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu before making any 2023 Kentucky Derby picks.
Few people in racing are as well-connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders' Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.
Yu also has tremendous handicapping chops. In a wide-open Kentucky Derby in 2021, she gave out Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first, as the winner at 12-1. In Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager last year, she suggested a play on All Other 3-Year-Olds, which cashed at a whopping 18-1 when Rich Strike won the Derby.
Since the end of February, she has crushed the Saudi Cup, riding a 15-1 winner to an $840 score, nailed Derma Sotogake to win the UAE Derby and hit the exacta in the Santa Anita Derby. Her return on investment over that time is $5.08 for every $1.
Now, Yu has handicapped the 2023 Kentucky Derby odds, made her picks and constructed her 2023 Kentucky Derby bets. Click here to see them.
Top 2023 Kentucky Derby predictions
One surprise: Yu is steering clear of Tapit Trice, even though he's one of the co-favorites. Tapit Trice, who is one of Pletcher's two entries in this year's Derby, enters with a four-race winning streak after finishing third in his debut. His most recent victory came last month, when he beat Verifying by a neck in the Blue Grass Stakes.
It could prove difficult for Tapit Trice to extend his winning streak from the No. 5 spot on Saturday. Jockey Luis Saez likely will have trouble guiding the colt to the outside, where he likes to run. "He's very likely to drop way back and go wide around the far turn," Yu told SportsLine. She is not using Tapit Trice in any of her 2023 Kentucky Derby bets. See who else to fade here.
Another shocker: Yu is high on Derma Sotogake, who is 7-1 in the updated 2023 Kentucky Derby odds. He's a target for anyone looking for a huge payday. No horse from Japan has ever won the Kentucky Derby, but that streak could end on Saturday, according to Yu.
"A son of champion sprinter Mind Your Biscuits, Derma Sotogake looked like the real deal in winning the UAE Derby," Yu told SportsLine. "The UAE Derby hasn't been a great steppingstone to the Run for the Roses, but the recent utter domination of international races by Japan leaves me thinking he is not impossible. I'm not in love with his draw, but he still remains a contender." See who else to back here.
How to make 2023 Kentucky Derby picks, bets
Yu is also high on a massive longshot who "could cash a check with a good trip." She is including this horse in her 2023 Kentucky Derby bets, and so should you. She's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.
So what horse wins the Kentucky Derby? What massive longshot is a must-back? Visit SportsLine to see Yu's 2023 Kentucky Derby picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who cashed last year's winning ticket, and find out.
2023 Kentucky Derby odds, horses
| Horse | Odds | Program # | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tapit Trice | 9-2 | 5 | SEE PICKS |
| Angel of Empire | 9-2 | 14 | SEE PICKS |
| Derma Sotogake | 7-1 | 20 | SEE PICKS |
| Two Phil's | 7-1 | 3 | SEE PICKS |
| Kingsbarn | 9-1 | 6 | SEE PICKS |
| Reincarnate | 13-1 | 7 | SEE PICKS |
| Verifying | 16-1 | 2 | SEE PICKS |
| Mage | 17-1 | 8 | SEE PICKS |
| Confidence Game | 17-1 | 4 | SEE PICKS |
| Mandarin Hero | 21-1 | 22 | SEE PICKS |
| Disarm | 25-1 | 11 | SEE PICKS |
| Hit Show | 26-1 | 1 | SEE PICKS |
| Rocket Can | 27-1 | 18 | SEE PICKS |
| Raise Cain | 30-1 | 16 | SEE PICKS |
| Sun Thunder | 30-1 | 13 | SEE PICKS |
| Cyclone Mischief | 31-1 | 21 | SEE PICKS |
| Jace's Road | 32-1 | 12 | SEE PICKS |
| King Russell | 32-1 | 23 | SEE PICKS |
| Forte | SCR | SCR | |
| Practical Move | SCR | SCR | |
| Skinner | SCR | SCR | |
| Lord Miles | SCR | SCR | |
| Continuar | SCR | SCR |
